California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Twisted Cedar Trail

2.8 mi
round trip
279 ft
climb
6,785 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Twisted Cedar Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It doesn't name Twisted Cedar Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Twisted Cedar Trail is an easy out-and-back hike of about 2.8 miles in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 6,519 feet to about 6,785 feet, a climb of roughly 280 feet one way. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe show July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the low 40s and only about two wet days a month. That station sits roughly 470 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. The Corral Trail and Incense Cedar mountain biking routes both start about 0.1 mile away. Trout Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 1.1 miles off, and Hope Valley campground is about 2.5 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Hope Valley

    Campground

    Campground · 2.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Flight Deck Sports Bar and Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Twisted Cedar Trail

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 19°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 29°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 2.5 mi away at 6,314 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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